The Lansdowne, Bourton-on-the-Water

First real rain of the summer and we were off to a pre-planned weekend in the Cotswolds. Ah well, nothing to be done about the weather and I was to meet one of A.’s oldest friends.

Breakfast Bounties

It would be a tough weekend, but luckily the Lansdowne was the perfect place to give me the strength to overcome. This little gem is run by the lovely Cheryle and Anthony, who couldn’t be more welcoming. It’s not a hotel, but it’s certainly a step up from your regular B&B. Beautifully decorated with a superb eye for detail, the rooms are spacious and comfortable. I think there’s a creeping refurbishment going on here. The second floor looked immaculate, but sadly we were on the third so the stylish grey carpet gave way to red floral and we left the sleek Farrow & Ball for magnolia anaglypta. That was only the communal areas though, and our room was lovely.

After a fabulous day meeting A’s friends in nearby Cirencester (and a glorious dinner, but we’re not including home meals here – just yet anyway), we slept soundly at The Lansdowne. I think I passed the ‘friends’ test, but we shall see. Is seven months a testing point? Write in and let me know!

On the second day A developed a cold. So spirits were a little low, and we didn’t help ourselves by not booking for dinner. Top Tip: in any touristy location, always book for dinner. I think I remember typing these words before, so it will be a lesson learned twice for us.

So we did try to share a swanky dinner with you, but instead we ended up in the local pub with serviceable grub and a pub quiz (we did quite well). Which hopefully explains why we’re reviewing breakfast instead.

Stay at The Lansdowne for the breakfasts alone. Anthony is in charge here and the experience is a delight. The small room is stylish in a Scandinavian/English Country mash up, and with a superb eye for detail. And the food! Locally sourced, the quality makes itself felt. I had the full English two days running and I don’t normally do breakfast. A had a bagel with scrambled eggs and bacon, and I swear his man-flu temporarily vanished.

Recommendation

Glorious, and one for the banker list for future Cotswolds extravaganzas.